Poland’s Foreign Minister, Zbigniew Rau, has issued a plea to both sides of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, urging an immediate cessation of hostilities to facilitate the safe evacuation of civilians from the war-torn Gaza Strip. The call comes in response to the Israeli army’s announcement that it has targeted more than 11,000 sites in Gaza since the conflict initiated with an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel from the territory on October 7.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Minister Rau emphasized the importance of safeguarding the lives of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. He assured that the Polish diplomatic and consular staff, along with the foreign ministry, are tirelessly working to aid Polish citizens trapped in the conflict zone. “We are doing everything to ensure that they are safe again,” Rau stated.
Israel’s Ambassador to Poland, Yacov Livne, responded to Rau’s appeal on X, condemning Hamas for using Gaza residents and 6,500 foreigners as human shields for their violent agenda. He expressed deep concern for Polish citizens among those affected.
According to Reuters, an agreement has been brokered between Egypt, Israel, and Hamas, allowing the evacuation of certain individuals from the Gaza Strip. This arrangement, facilitated through Qatar in coordination with the United States, includes workers from the International Committee of the Red Cross and nationals from Australia, Austria, Jordan, and Indonesia.
Amidst the conflict, the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health has reported a devastating toll on the Palestinian population, with over 8,300 lives lost in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war. As efforts continue to evacuate civilians, international attention remains focused on achieving a swift and peaceful resolution to the crisis, sparing civilian lives and alleviating the human suffering caused by the conflict.